(URGENT) Seoul shares open 0.76 pct higher on U.S. gains

SEOUL, Aug. 10 (Yonhap) -- The Korean stock market opened on a positive note on Monday, buoyed by bargain-hunting by investors. Technology stocks were the primary drivers of the upward movement. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 101.15 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at 6,359.92 as of 9:15 a.m. on Monday.

Despite the positive start, the KOSPI ended lower for the second consecutive session on Friday, dragged down by foreign selling. The previous session on Friday saw Wall Street markets advance, following favorable U.S. job reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.28 percent, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.62 percent to set a new record high.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index also experienced a gain of 1.3 percent. In Seoul, technology stocks led the rally, with both individual and institutional investors actively buying shares on the bargain hunting opportunity presented. Samsung Electronics, a market bellwether, saw its shares rise by 2.49 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix saw its price increase by 3.94 percent.

As of 9:15 a.m. on Monday, the Korean won was trading at 1,412.1 won against the U.S. dollar, marking a 2.6 won decrease from the previous session's close.